Wilson catches TD, No. 4 Badgers top Indiana 59-7

Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson (16) fires off a pass as Wisconsin's Ricky Wagner (58) blocks Indiana defensive tackle Adam Replogle (98) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011, in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin won 59-7.

MADISON  Quarterback Russell Wilson added a new chapter to his brief-but-growing legend, making a touchdown catch on a trick play as No. 4 Wisconsin routed Indiana 59-7 on Saturday.

Wilson, who is being touted as a Heisman Trophy candidate by Wisconsin (6-0, 2-0 Big Ten), added another memorable moment to his resume when he caught a 25-yard score from running back Montee Ball in the second quarter. Ball had a huge day, rushing for three touchdowns.

Wilson threw for 166 yards and a touchdown with 42 yards rushing. He was rested in the fourth quarter.

James White added a touchdown rushing for the Badgers.

Wisconsin was playing without top wide receiver Nick Toon, who sat out with a left foot injury.

Stephen Houston had a 67-yard touchdown run for the struggling Hoosiers (1-6, 0-3).

Indiana quarterback Edward Wright-Baker threw a pair of interceptions and had a fourth-quarter fumble in the end zone that was recovered for a touchdown by backup linebacker Derek Landisch. Freshman Tre Roberson also got some playing time.

The Hoosiers lost big — but it actually wasn't as bad as last year, when Wisconsin beat Indiana 83-20.

Coming off a bye week after their big victory over Nebraska, the Badgers took a while to get going Saturday. And a sleepy, late-arriving student section didn't create much of an atmosphere early on — certainly nothing like it did against the Cornhuskers.

The Hoosiers started strong, meanwhile, getting a defensive stop on the Badgers' first series and then making a little noise on offense. Indiana used no-huddle and full-house backfield looks to keep the Badgers' defense off balance. The Hoosiers' first drive stalled near midfield, but it appeared for the moment that they had some fight in them.

It didn't last long.

Facing third-and-9 on Wisconsin's own 31-yard line, Wilson threw a 19-yard pass to Jeff Duckworth for a first down. Ball was stuffed on the next play, but Wilson then found Ball wide open for a 46-yard catch-and-run. Ball finished the drive with a 5-yard touchdown run, bouncing off a tackle along the way. Wisconsin led 7-0.

Things then got ugly for Indiana's special teams, as punter Adam Pines shanked one straight into the line and the ball bounced to Wisconsin's Bradie Ewing. Wisconsin took over at the Indiana 26, and after Wilson threw to Ewing for an easy first down, White faked out two Hoosiers defenders on his way to a 15-yard touchdown and 14-0 Wisconsin lead late in the first quarter.

Indiana put together another drive but was stopped by a swarm of Wisconsin defenders on a fourth-down conversion attempt.

The Badgers answered — and this time, Wilson found himself on the other end of a well-thrown touchdown pass. Wilson handed to Ball, then sneaked down the sideline and caught a pass from his running back for a touchdown and a 21-0 lead.

Wisconsin cornerback Antonio Fenelus then made an interception near the goal line, and a long run by White set up a 35-yard touchdown run by Ball.

The Hoosiers finally got on the board, thanks to the 67-yard touchdown run by Houston.

But Wisconsin marched down the field for a 38-yard field goal by Philip Welch and an interception by Aaron Henry helped the Badgers score once more before halftime. Wilson's 25-yard scramble set up his 3-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jacob Pedersen, and Wisconsin led 38-7 at the half.

The Hoosiers had another special teams breakdown in the third quarter, allowing Jared Abbrederis to score on a rambling 60-yard punt return for a 45-7 lead.

Notes: Wisconsin defensive lineman Patrick Butrym limped off the field in the second quarter, appearing to favor his left ankle. ... Toon's injury is to the same foot he had surgery on in the offseason, but he's not expected to miss an extended period of time. Toon, the son of former Wisconsin and New York Jets standout receiver Al Toon, came into Saturday's game leading the Badgers with 25 catches, 447 yards and six touchdowns receiving this season.